Information

Discipline Coordinator: Scott Beyer

Faculty

Beyer
Dunn
Kunkel
Manthey
Morrison

Degrees

 Undergraduate: A major in Finance leads to the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.

The Major(s), with Emphases and/or Options

Finance Major 

The Finance major is offered by the School of Business and is recommended for students who are interested in a career in financial management which would include tasks such as capital budgeting, working capital management and financial analysis and for students interested in career positions with companies that provide financial services such as banks, brokerage firms, financial planning firms, insurance companies, real estate firms. 

• Required Credits:  18 minimum 

• Required Courses: In addition to the School of Business Pre-Core and Core Courses: 
  • Finance 333, 334, 335, 436 

• Electives: Complete 6 additional credits from the list below: 
  • Accounting 301, 303  
  • Finance 340, 351, 431, 434, 438 

The Minor(s)

1. Insurance and Risk Management Minor 

Open to all students. Students cannot complete both the Insurance and Risk Management minor and the Insurance Certificate. 

• Required Credits: 21 minimum 

• Required Courses: 
  • Finance 340, 351, 445 
  • Select 9 credits from the following: 
    • Accounting 403, 404 
    • Economics 368, 405, 433, 472, 473 
    • Finance 333, 334, 431, 438, 440, 441 
    • Information Systems 315, 316, 481 
    • Management & Human Resources 385, 386, 387 
    • Marketing 331, 335, 338, 363, 373, 379, 418, 473 
    • Supply Chain Management 445, 460 

• Electives: Select 3 credits in courses offered in any School of Business program at the 300/400 level. 

2.  Risk Management and Actuarial Science Minor

Open to all students. Students will gain understanding and training in the fields of Risk Management, Insurance, and Actuarial Science. 

• Required Credits: 21 minimum 

• Required Courses: 
  • Math 385 or Economics 473 
  • Finance 340 and 441 or 445 

• Electives: 12 credits from the following: 
  • Math 302, 304, 371, 376, 385*, 386, 401 
  • Economics 471, 472, 473* 
  • Finance 441*, 442, 445* 
  • Marketing 418 

*These courses can only count once in required courses or electives. 

The Certificate(s)

1. Finance and Investments Certificate 

The Finance and Investments Certificate will be a compliment and is available to all business majors, except for Finance majors. This certificate may be especially attractive to Economics majors, Information Systems majors, and Marketing majors who would like to work with financial institutions or investment firms. 

• Required Credit: 9 crs. 

• Required Courses:  
  • Finance* 333, 334, 335 

*Courses must be completed at UW Oshkosh 

2. Financial Management Certificate 

The Financial Management certificate will complement and is available to all business majors, except for Finance majors. This certificate may be especially attractive to Management majors, Human Resource Management majors, and Supply Chain Management majors who would like to work with manufacturing firms or nonprofits. 

• Required Courses: 9 crs. 

• Required Courses:  
  • Finance* 334, 431, 436 

*Courses must be completed at UW Oshkosh 

3. Insurance & Risk Certificate 

The Insurance and Risk Certificate compliments any UW Oshkosh major program of study. While the study of risk and insurance is a valuable addition to any finance or other business major, the certificate program is also recommended for anyone desiring to build their knowledge and literacy in this growing industry. Students cannot complete both the Insurance and Risk Management minor or the Risk Management and Actuarial Science minor and the Insurance and Risk Certificate. 

• Required Credits: 9 crs. 

• Required Courses: 
  • Finance 340* 
  • Plus 3 credits from the following: 
    • Finance: 351, 445 

• Electives: Complete 3 credits in any School of Business course at the 300/400 level 

*This course requires a prerequisite of a successful completion of one of the following courses with a C or better: Economics 210, Finance 331, Math 171, or Math 201 

Course Offerings

Finance    331	3 (crs.)
Essentials of Finance
A study of the financial decision-making process in business to solve problems and identify business opportunities in a global environment. Students learn to use financial tools (e.g. financial statement, time value of money, cash flow and risk and return analysis) to make optimal capital budgeting, dividend, and capital structure decisions. BUS CORE. Prerequisites: (BUSINESS 204, or BUSINESS 201 and 202 or ACCT 206 and 207 or BUSINESS 201 and ACCT 207) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (44 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    332	3 (crs.)
Honors: Business Finance
A study of the financial decision-making in business to solve problems and identify business opportunities in a global environment. Students learn to use financial tools (e.g. financial statement analysis, time value of money, cash flow analysis, and risk and return analysis) to make capital budgeting and working-capital decisions. Prerequisites: (ECON 201) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    333	3 (crs.)
Financial Markets
A study of the financial system of the United States and other countries. Topics in this course include financial markets, financial securities such as financial derivatives, financial institutions, laws and regulations. The course examines the role and operation of financial markets to raise and allocate scarce capital resources. The course also examines how interest rates are determined and the effects of the Federal Reserve and Treasury policies on the financial system. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 331 with a grade of “C-” or better AND concurrent enrollment in (or completion of) MHR 381) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    334	3 (crs.)
Investment Management
A study of investment and portfolio management theories and concepts used to identify investment opportunities in global financial markets. Attention is centered on the analysis of the risk-return characteristics of investment vehicles including financial derivatives. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 331 with a grade of “C-” or better AND concurrent enrollment in (or completion of) MHR 381) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    335	3 (crs.)
International Business Finance
A study of international financial theory, markets and instruments used in the management of the investing and the financing of a global business. The course includes application of currency forecasting, speculation and hedging to international investing and financing decisions. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 331 with a grade of “C-” or better AND concurrent enrollment in (or completion of) MHR 381) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    340	3 (crs.)
Risk Management and Insurance
An introductory study of the risk management process and the importance of insurance as a method of handling risk. This course is designed to generate an aware of the nature of risk, its effects on individual and business decisions, and the methods available for treating risk. Course content includes property insurance, auto insurance, life and health insurance, workers compensation and employee benefits. Relationships between risk management and other functional areas of business are also considered. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 331, ECON 210, MATH 171, or MATH 201 with a C- or better) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    351	3 (crs.)
Financial Planning and Risk Management
A risk management approach to the financial uncertainty of individuals and households. This includes the use of insurance for autos, homes, life, disability, and health. Personal financial plans in the areas of annuities, retirement accounts and social security to meet individual needs. Financial planning strategies to mitigate risks and to exploit the upside of risk for the individual. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 331 with a grade of “C-” or better) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    431	3 (crs.)
Financial Statement Analysis
A study of the financial theory and applications used in the day-to-day management of a business and its financial statements in a global environment. The course is focused on the analysis of financial statements, financial forecasting, and the decision-making process of managing growth. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 331 with a grade of “C-” or better AND concurrent enrollment in (or completion of) MHR 381) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    434	3 (crs.)
Security Analysis
The application of valuation models to global investment opportunities. Students are required to obtain, organize, and analyze internal and external data as it relates to the management of an investment portfolio. Prerequisites: (ACCT 208 with a grade of “C-” or better and FINANCE 334) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    436	3 (crs.)
Advanced Financial Management
A study of the financial theory and applications used in business investment, financing, and dividend decision in a global environment. The course employs the case study pedagogy requiring students to analyze business situations and make business investment, financing, and dividend decisions using problem solving techniques and critical thinking. Prerequisites: (MHR 381 with a “C-” or better and one of the following courses: FINANCE 334 or 431) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA).
Finance    438	3 (crs.)
Student-Managed Endowment Fund
Students manage numerous endowment fund portfolios. The seminar provides students the opportunity to evaluate a variety of financial assets and to implement an investment strategy to an actual institutional portfolio. As a team, students make investment decisions based on each fund’s investment policy statement. Prerequisite: Application and consent of finance faculty. Special course fees may apply.
Finance    440	3 (crs.)
Business Risk Management and Insurance
A risk management approach to the financial uncertainty of business. This includes liability insurance for business, employee benefits (workers compensation and social security), pension and group insurance, and self-insurance for property liability losses. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 340) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    441	3 (crs.)
Advanced Risk Management
Study of Risk recognition, risk control, and risk control, and risk financing techniques used to achieve basic organizational goals such as profit maximization, earnings stability, and growth. Course reviews identifying and analyzing the loss exposures, developing alternative techniques for treating each exposure with emphasis on risk control, risk financing, and operations of insurance firms. Case studies are used to provide insight to the risk management process. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 340) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    442	3 (crs.)
Financial Mathematics
This is an introductory course in Financial. This course examines the actuarial valuation of cash flows related to insurance contracts, the concept of the force of interest, stochastic valuation of financial assets, and applied financial modeling. Prerequisites: (MATH 301 or ECON 210 or (MATH 201 with B or better)) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    443	1.5 (crs.)
Actuarial Science Lab I – Probability
This is an applied course in financial probability related to actuarial science. The purpose of this course is to develop knowledge of the fundamental probability tools for quantitatively assessing risk. The application of these tools to problems encountered in actuarial science is emphasized. Prerequisite: (MATH 401) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA or instructor consent). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    444	1.5 (crs.)
Actuarial Science Lab II – Financial Mathematics
This is an introductory course in Financial Mathematics applications. This course examines applied problems related to the actuarial valuation of cash flows related to insurance contracts, the concept of the force of interest, stochastic valuation of financial assets, and applied financial modeling. Students work detailed financial mathematics problems. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 442) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA or instructor consent). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    445	3 (crs.)
Insurance Company Operations
Insurance companies and providers are subject to very specific state regulations; these regulations define how operations are conducted. Students will understand the structure of an insurance company and the interdependencies between various operational divisions. Emphasis is placed on the fine line between regulatory compliance and meeting organizational goals. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 340). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    451	3 (crs.)
Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning
This course integrates concepts from financial planning and employee benefits to educate individuals about retirement and benefits decisions they will be making throughout their lives. Coverage includes features of employer, individual, and social plans. Prerequisites: (FINANCE 331 and MHR 361 each with a grade of C- or better) AND EITHER (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.
Finance    461	1 – 3 (crs.)
Seminar in Finance
A seminar on the application of the concepts and techniques of financial management to business organizations. Prerequisites: (Admitted to the School of Business) OR (60 credits and 2.2 GPA). Special course fees may apply.

Sustainability Management    302	3 (crs.)
Sustainable Enterprise MGT
This course introduces the natural environment and social responsibility as components of the business decision-making process in addition to the traditional economic focus. Topics include Triple Bottom Line supply chain management, energy, transparency, design, life cycle assessment, reverse logistics, facilities management, marketing and strategy. Cross-listed: ENV STDS 302/SMGT 302.
Sustainability Management    328	1.5 (crs.)
Energy and Facilities Management
The assessment of current and potential energy systems with emphasis on meeting regional and global energy needs in the 21st century in a sustainable manner. Examination of energy technologies in each fuel cycle state for fossil (oil, gas, synthetic), solar, biomass, wind, hydro, nuclear, and geothermal energy types, along with storage, transmission, and conservation issues. Focus on evaluation and analysis of energy technology systems and building efficiency in the context of facilities management. Cross-listed: ENV STDS 328/SMGT 328. Prerequisites: Business majors who have been admitted to the School of Business. All other students complete 60 credits with a combined GPA of 2.2.
Sustainability Management    329	1.5 (crs.)
Creating Healthy, Sustainable Communities
This course provides an opportunity to learn how healthy people, healthy communities and health-promoting environments all intersect at the bottom line. This course will explore business practices that foster employee, community and environmental health. In addition to discussing community-based programming trends and initiatives, the course will also focus on community needs assessment processes, community-based participatory research and enhancing collective efficacy. We will discuss major social issues and how they impact healthy, sustainable communities. Cross-listed: ENV STDS 329/SMGT 329. Prerequisites: Business majors who have been admitted to the School of Business. All other students complete 60 credits with a combined GPA of 2.2.
Sustainability Management    330	3 (crs.)
Sustainability Reporting
This course is designed to introduce students to the issues surrounding the natural environment; specifically, how daily and long-term business measures and accounts for social and environmental capital. This is a hands-on course in which you will be required to do much introspection, reading, and group discussion. Coverage includes corporate social responsibility and environmental management reporting. Cross-listed: ENV STDS 330/SMGT 330. Prerequisites: Business majors who have been admitted to the School of Business. All other students complete 60 credits with a combined GPA of 2.2.
Sustainability Management    464	3 (crs.)
Sustainability Strategy and Innovation
This course builds on the previous courses in the minor to synthesize how companies apply the core drivers and measures to implement sustainable initiatives and the cost/benefits of these activities. We will learn how to identify sustainable business opportunities while at the same time understanding the challenges of working in this dynamic and changing field. You will be part of a team working on applied business projects with regional organizations. Cross-listed with BUSINESS 464/ ENV STDS 464/ SMGT 464. Prerequisites: Business majors who have been admitted to the SOB. All other students complete 60 credits with a combined GPA of 2.2.